The Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Working Group in Afghanistan was established in October 2021 to address the coordination, protection, and advocacy needs of partners regarding existing informal settlements, also known as Informal settlements (ISET). This Inter-Agency Standing Committee coordination mechanism does not create or promote camps or sites, but instead focuses on coordinating, protecting, and advocating for the needs of partners in relation to the existing informal settlements.

The primary objective of the CCCM Working Group is to ensure fair and dignified access to assistance, information, and protection for displaced people in camp-like settings. They work in collaboration with government structures and employ participatory processes to improve the quality of life, safety, and dignity for those affected by displacement.

To achieve these goals, the CCCM Working Group supports the application of various global and national commitments, such as the Camp Management Toolkit, Minimum Standards for Camp Management, Sphere Standards, IASC Gender Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action, Camp Managers Guide to Cash-Based Interventions, CCCM Cluster Paper on Area-Based Approaches, Management and Coordination of Informal Settings Through Mobile/Area-Based Approach Working Paper, Urban Displacement Out of Camps Desk Review, IASC Data Responsibility in Humanitarian Action, IASC Guidelines on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action, and Camp Closure Guidelines.

One of the key aspects of the CCCM Working Group's programming is the active engagement and participation of the affected communities. They prioritize informal sites and settlements due to the high needs in out-of-camp response and pay special attention to the needs of vulnerable groups. They work towards improving service quality, building the capacity of local authorities and communities, and ensuring the inclusion of all groups through the establishment of committees and communication channels for feedback and complaints.

Furthermore, the CCCM Working Group provides technical support to CCCM Agencies and collaborates with key stakeholders to harmonize CCCM standards, develop joint strategies and approaches, and enhance service delivery.

In Afghanistan, the CCCM Working Group is co-led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) which also co-leads the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Working Group and the Afghanistan Protection Cluster. At the third quarter of 2023, the CCCM Working Group is composed of 24 members including UN agencies, International NGOs and national NGOs.

The Afghanistan Crisis Response Plan 2020-2022, updated on January 27, 2021, reports that as of December 19, 2020, there were 3.5 million people displaced by conflict inside Afghanistan.

Based on the last national review end of 2021 of all informal settlements in Afghanistan, REACH estimates that more than 1100 informal settlements are spread in 28 provinces (134 districts) for an estimated population of 296.476 HHs (representing approx. 1.759.438 persons).

Since its establishment, the CCCM Working Group has contributed to the protection of internally displaced people in Afghanistan through various activities:

• Provision of protection and coordinated multi-sectoral response: The CCCM Working Group has allocated funds through its members for CCCM to enable partners to scale up urgently needed CCCM activities, to provide protection and a coordinated multi-sectoral response for displaced people residing in informal settlements and urban settings, as well as advocating for durable solutions.
• Enhancement of access to basic services and protection: The CCCM Working Group has supported area-based and mobile site management approaches to enhance access to basic services and protection for displaced people.
• Support for community governance structures: The CCCM Working group has supported community governance structures to facilitate the communication between the mobile ISET management in area where partners are deployed, the local authorities and service providers.
• Closed cooperation with House Land Properties: The CCCM Working Group collaborates closely with the Houses, Lands, and Properties (HLP) Task Force in Afghanistan to address issues concerning housing, land, and property. While the CCCM Working Group focuses on coordinating, protecting, and advocating for the needs of partners related to existing informal settlements, the HLP Task Force specifically deals with disputes involving housing, land, and property. By working together, the CCCM Working Group and the HLP Task Force bridge the gap between coordination, protection, and advocacy needs of partners in informal settlements, and the legal assistance and support required for resolving disputes involving housing, land, and property.
• Bridge between CCCM and Durable Solutions: in the context of Afghanistan, CCCM supports the implementation of durable solutions in several ways:
  • Advocating for durable solutions: CCCM works to ensure that the rights of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and other affected populations living in informal settlements (ISET) are protected, and advocates for durable solutions.
  • Addressing HLP (Housing, Land, and Property) issues: CCCM teams address HLP issues with a focus on durable solutions.
  • Providing technical and social support: CCCM provides technical and social support to field operations through deployment of CCCM experts or rapid response officers during an emergency with face-to-face training through the CCCM Capacity Building Program, or remotely where specific requests are made.
  • Ensuring protection of the settlement population: CCCM ensures protection of the settlement population by mainstreaming protection in all settlement activities, including household registration, site planning/layout, site maintenance and improvements, governance structures, community groups, and complaints and feedback mechanisms.

  • Developing meaningful linkages: CCCM aims to develop meaningful linkages between CCCM information, community engagement, and durable solutions response.

    The Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Working Group in Afghanistan was established in October 2021 to address the coordination, protection, and advocacy needs of partners regarding existing informal settlements, also known as Informal settlements (ISET). This Inter-Agency Standing Committee coordination mechanism does not create or promote camps or sites, but instead focuses on coordinating, protecting, and advocating for the needs of partners in relation to the existing informal settlements.

    The primary objective of the CCCM Working Group is to ensure fair and dignified access to assistance, information, and protection for displaced people in camp-like settings. They work in collaboration with government structures and employ participatory processes to improve the quality of life, safety, and dignity for those affected by displacement.

    To achieve these goals, the CCCM Working Group supports the application of various global and national commitments, such as the Camp Management Toolkit, Minimum Standards for Camp Management, Sphere Standards, IASC Gender Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action, Camp Managers Guide to Cash-Based Interventions, CCCM Cluster Paper on Area-Based Approaches, Management and Coordination of Informal Settings Through Mobile/Area-Based Approach Working Paper, Urban Displacement Out of Camps Desk Review, IASC Data Responsibility in Humanitarian Action, IASC Guidelines on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action, and Camp Closure Guidelines.

    One of the key aspects of the CCCM Working Group's programming is the active engagement and participation of the affected communities. They prioritize informal sites and settlements due to the high needs in out-of-camp response and pay special attention to the needs of vulnerable groups. They work towards improving service quality, building the capacity of local authorities and communities, and ensuring the inclusion of all groups through the establishment of committees and communication channels for feedback and complaints.

    Furthermore, the CCCM Working Group provides technical support to CCCM Agencies and collaborates with key stakeholders to harmonize CCCM standards, develop joint strategies and approaches, and enhance service delivery.

    In Afghanistan, the CCCM Working Group is co-led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) which also co-leads the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Working Group and the Afghanistan Protection Cluster. At the third quarter of 2023, the CCCM Working Group is composed of 24 members including UN agencies, International NGOs and national NGOs.

    The Afghanistan Crisis Response Plan 2020-2022, updated on January 27, 2021, reports that as of December 19, 2020, there were 3.5 million people displaced by conflict inside Afghanistan.

    Based on the last national review end of 2021 of all informal settlements in Afghanistan, REACH estimates that more than 1100 informal settlements are spread in 28 provinces (134 districts) for an estimated population of 296.476 HHs (representing approx. 1.759.438 persons).

    Since its establishment, the CCCM Working Group has contributed to the protection of internally displaced people in Afghanistan through various activities:

  • Provision of protection and coordinated multi-sectoral response: The CCCM Working Group has allocated funds through its members for CCCM to enable partners to scale up urgently needed CCCM activities, to provide protection and a coordinated multi-sectoral response for displaced people residing in informal settlements and urban settings, as well as advocating for durable solutions.
  • Enhancement of access to basic services and protection: The CCCM Working Group has supported area-based and mobile site management approaches to enhance access to basic services and protection for displaced people.
  • Support for community governance structures: The CCCM Working group has supported community governance structures to facilitate the communication between the mobile ISET management in area where partners are deployed, the local authorities and service providers.
  • Closed cooperation with House Land Properties: The CCCM Working Group collaborates closely with the Houses, Lands, and Properties (HLP) Task Force in Afghanistan to address issues concerning housing, land, and property. While the CCCM Working Group focuses on coordinating, protecting, and advocating for the needs of partners related to existing informal settlements, the HLP Task Force specifically deals with disputes involving housing, land, and property. By working together, the CCCM Working Group and the HLP Task Force bridge the gap between coordination, protection, and advocacy needs of partners in informal settlements, and the legal assistance and support required for resolving disputes involving housing, land, and property.
  • Bridge between CCCM and Durable Solutions: in the context of Afghanistan, CCCM supports the implementation of durable solutions in several ways:
    • Advocating for durable solutions: CCCM works to ensure that the rights of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and other affected populations living in informal settlements (ISET) are protected, and advocates for durable solutions.
    • Addressing HLP (Housing, Land, and Property) issues: CCCM teams address HLP issues with a focus on durable solutions.
    • Providing technical and social support: CCCM provides technical and social support to field operations through deployment of CCCM experts or rapid response officers during an emergency with face-to-face training through the CCCM Capacity Building Program, or remotely where specific requests are made.
    • Ensuring protection of the settlement population: CCCM ensures protection of the settlement population by mainstreaming protection in all settlement activities, including household registration, site planning/layout, site maintenance and improvements, governance structures, community groups, and complaints and feedback mechanisms.
    • Developing meaningful linkages: CCCM aims to develop meaningful linkages between CCCM information, community engagement, and durable solutions response.